ALBANY – State Senator Sampson and Speaker Silver met privately with Governor Paterson, Tuesday, to discuss the state budget, once again, according to Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, “shutting Republicans out of the process”.

“By conducting secret budget talks and shutting out Republican legislators and the public, Democrats are following the same path of arrogance that resulted in a disastrous budget that increased taxes and spending last year”, said Skelos.  “Senator Sampson and Speaker Silver continue to ignore the state law by not releasing their budget plans or setting a schedule for open, public conference committees.  Taxpayers have every right to be angry with the Democrats’ failure to move the budget process forward in an open, public and inclusive fashion.”

The legislature continues to review Gov. David Paterson’s budget.  No one things the budget will be adopted by the March 31st deadline.